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Author, educator, and presenter David Bouchard is a champion of the written word. He is a best selling author with over 50 books in both English and French. His fascinating storybooks are visually stunning and are literally refreshing.'
David grew up not knowing anything about his cultural heritage. Yet he strived to discover the bloodlines his ancestors had tried to hide out of fear of being treated unfairly. Ultimately he was able to trace his ancestry back many generations back to the Menominee Treaty of 1848.
Today, David writes amazing books that reflect his roots and Aboriginal culture. His books have won numerous awards, including a Special Mention for Non-Fiction in the 2010 Bologna Ragazzi Awards for The Drum Calls Softly.
In 2009, David Bouchard was also named as a member of the 'Order of Canada' for his achievement and advocacy in literature for Canadian children.
Phillip Campiou is a Traditional Woodland Cree who is originally from Driftpile First Nation, Alberta. He now resides in the Stony Plain area. As a young man, his father taught Phillip how to be self-sufficient and live off the land. Inherent in these teachings was an unwavering respect for Mother Earth and the spirituality held by all Her inhabitants. As an adult, Phillip has devoted his life to sharing his knowledge of traditional values and lifestyle. He is often contracted to do numerous presentations in Edmonton and surrounding areas. He is invited to help host many traditional and community events in across Canada. Phillip is actively involved in teaching holistic approaches to health and healing.
Billie-Jo Grant is an educator with over 20 years of classroom experience teaching K-9 students in both the public and Catholic school divisions. She is a mom of three who embraces her family, Métis heritage, faith, inclusive practices, and animal rescue! Billie-Jo was the recipient of a 2017 Indspire National Award for being a role model in Indigenous education and also received a 2017 International Women's Award for her work in her local community and in Indigenous education. She recently completed her Masters in Religious Education through Newman Theological College and has stepped out of the classroom to work with Rupertsland Institute - Métis Centre of Excellence. She has won a Guiding the Journey: Indigenous Educator Award in the “role model” category from the Indspire, a non profit charity that invests in the education of Indigenous people. Billie-Jo is passionate about building foundational knowledge, improving educator capacity, and developing resources that promote excellence in Métis Education.
Josh Languedoc is an Indigenous playwright, storyteller, and educator of Anishinaabe heritage from Saugeen First Nation, Hunkpapa from Wood Mountain Reserve, Irish and British. The playwright in residence at Workshop West Playwrights Theatre from 2016/2017, Josh is currently writing multiple plays for theatre, including The Eyes of Spirits (Workshop West, Native Earth Performing Arts), CIVIL BLOOD: A Treaty Story (Thou Art Here Theatre), IN-COR-RI-GI-BLE: The Legend of Thundervoice (Blyth Festival), and Rocko and Nakota: Tales From the Land (Theatre Prospero, Fringe Tour 2018). As an educator, Josh also works as a substitute teacher for Edmonton Public as well as a theatre educator for the Citadel Theatre and Workshop West's #WritesOfPassage Program. Recently, Josh completed a Canada-wide tour of Rocko and Nakota: Tales From the Land which was met with critical and audience acclaim, and won Best Indigenous Show at the 2018 Winnipeg Fringe Festival.
Dan Johnstone, better known locally as “Can Man Dan”, is a local anti-poverty activist, philanthropist, community organizer, and motivational speaker. His fundraising group, also called Can Man Dan, works to alleviate poverty, among many other important social issues, throughout Alberta.
Dan was raised in a single-parent household and for years, his family struggled to make ends meet. To help support his struggling mother with bills and rent, Dan began working at the age of 13. For years, the Johnstones relied on various social services and programs to keep the family afloat. Dan graduated high school in 2006 and attended Grant MacEwan University for one year, after which he left to care for his mother who had fallen ill. He entered the labour market, working mainly commercial and residential construction jobs, embracing the blue-collar lifestyle of hard work and determination. After rising through the ranks in his career and ensuring his mother’s well-being, Johnstone started his philanthropy work by creating Can Man Dan in 2011 and Localive in 2015. Johnstone has since become one of western Canada’s most well-known and respected philanthropists, bringing attention to several different social issues and raising millions in resources for many charities/non-profits around the province.
Johnstone currently resides in Edmonton where he keeps busy with his Can Man Dan endeavours, supporting local entrepreneurs with his Localive initiative, coaching community sports, volunteering at several local events, and acting as an ambassador to many different organizations. Dan has been praised for his work in the community and has earned a powerful reputation for his hard-working spirit, big heart, and unique events.